Natt's Journal: fandom, fandom, fandom...

Fics! Recs! Yeah!

Exclamation Point

This is a piece of writing without purpose but to vent my intolerance.

I hate this!!!!!

Do you understand which horrible aspect of EVERYTHING to which the word "this" refers?????!!!!!!

Surely you will soon!!!!!!

Surely you notice a pattern???!!!

I am intolerant of the over-usage of exclamation points!!!!

I once had a pen friend who, for a day, annoyingly ended every sentence with one exclamation point to prove it displays an overly happy mood.--It worked. He was a genius. I have found that excess punctuation marks are much more irritating, however, in a single sentence than are a hundred sentences all ending with exclamation points! Do you see that? While this extends to my friends--hello, I do hope I've insulted those of you who participate in this practice. Yes, I know who you are--I am mainly referring to fic writers. I tend to stop reading a fic (unless the mistake is lone and the story is superb or I am familiar with the author) if I do come across more than one of the same punctuation mark. Tell me, does a person use more than one period to put emphasis on the ending of a sentence........? No, I think not! It is unnecessary! We are all bright enough to realize when your character is angry or confused; you needn't also convey that you are--what's the word?--stupid. </immature>

I feel like an idiot for saying that, but surprisingly FREE.

With glorious artificial love and adoration,

Ru av Natten

PS: Yes, I'm having a swell day, thanks.

Stupid is a vague word. I like it; it leaves others wondering what the intended message was.

Now that that is out of the way, I agree that the overuse of that form of punctuation is extremely annoying within a fic. I do it in my LJ and IMs for some odd reason. Why? Haven't a clue. But there you are.

On another note: Tell me, does a person use more than one period to put emphasis on the ending of a sentence........? No, I think not! It is unnecessary! True a person doesn't need "......." to emphasize confusion or anger, etc. However, it is used often times by authors to indicate a hesitation in the story or by the character. It's not to be annoying. *grin*

On the whole, I agree with your frustration with the exclamation point overusage. And I do admit that I do it far too much. Point taken.

"However, it is used often times by authors to indicate a hesitation in the story or by the character." Indeed. *hangs head, too*

"I do it in my LJ and IMs for some odd reason." True, I have noticed this. I am willing (listen to me, I sound high-and-mighty) to give glare-slack to those who use it in those such things. *stops glaring* It is, after all, your journal for your thoughts...your words...your punctuation habits. We needn't edit and pay special attention to our journal entries as we do our stories, for this is relaxation time. ...Somewhere in there, I just know a conclusion was formed.

*does the I'm-Natt's-Love-of-the-...-Day dance* Hee hee See, repetition of pucntuation has it's uses in certain cases... I believe that "..." and "?!?" are used within fics with good reason. However, "!!!!!" and "????" are over used quite a bit...

As for LJ being the relaxation place, I agree whole-heartedly. This is my place where I don't have to have good grammer and spelling, etc. If eye wunnuh tipe reel bahd, thut's mi choyce. (*wink*) And thanks for the bit of glare-slack. *shys away as Natt starts glaring again...* I'll do better! I promise! *tentative smile?*

*does the I'm-Natt's-Love-of-the-...-Day dance* Hee hee See, repetition of pucntuation has it's uses in certain cases... I believe that "..." and "?!?" are used within fics with good reason. However, "!!!!!" and "????" are over used quite a bit...

As for LJ being the relaxation place, I agree whole-heartedly. This is my place where I don't <i>have</i> to have good grammer and spelling, etc. If eye wunnuh tipe reel bahd, thut's mi choyce. (*wink*) And thanks for the bit of glare-slack. *shys away as Natt starts glaring again...* I'll do better! I promise! *tentative smile?*

<rant="Katie going nuts about punctuation">One thing that pisses me off to no end is the use of "..." as just one line. Example:

<i>Draco turned to Harry. "I love you, Harry."

"..."

Draco glanced away. "I-I know you don't feel the same. I just had to let it out."</i>

I just made that little bit up, but I've seen that kind of thing <b>ALL</b> over the place. And it drives me <i>insane</i>. The triple period should not be used as a hesitation point without some sort of sentance placed before it!

It's okay, I think it sucks too. I do occasionally do it, but not when I'm actually writing a fic (unless it's in the authors notes). The most I do in a fic is if I have a question mark and an exclamation mark which is allowed. I go by the theory that when I want to get a book published, they won't let me have lines and lines of exclamation marks so why should I get into bad habits now? (fanfic is me practising for when I can become a famous author!)